In a country that has turned the vending machine into an art form (hot ramen, fresh eggs, umbrellas, neckties, even live rhinoceros beetles), it was only a matter of time before someone put dorayaki inside one.
Dorayaki — two fluffy castella pancakes hugging a thick layer of sweetened azuki red-bean paste — is more than just a snack in Japan. Thanks to a certain blue robotic cat named Doraemon, it is practically a cultural treasure. So when a glowing, humming machine appears on a quiet street corner promising fresh dorayaki 24 hours a day, it feels less like commerce and more like a small act of national service.
These machines are still rare, which makes finding one feel like stumbling upon hidden treasure. They tend to cluster in three kinds of places:
- Outside famous old dorayaki shops Legendary shops like Usagiya in Ueno or Kameju in Kameido have occasionally installed their own branded machines so fans can satisfy cravings long after the store shutters close. The dorayaki inside are the exact same ones sold over the counter — still slightly warm, sealed in clear plastic, waiting patiently behind the glass.
- Inside or beside major train stations Tokyo Station’s underground “Gransta” shopping area and Ueno Station have both hosted limited-time dorayaki machines. Some are collaborations: a Doraemon-themed machine with the cat’s face plastered on every side, bells that play the anime theme when you make a purchase, and special “Doraemon-blue” packaging.
- At roadside stations and tourist spots Travel to the countryside and you might find a michi-no-eki (roadside rest stop) with a machine selling local dorayaki made that morning — sometimes chestnut-filled in autumn, yuzu in winter, or sakura cream in spring.